Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-08-11
MIR. MEGILP'S PICTURE.
The Good Fortune That Came Out
of a "Bill Of Sale"

The Good Fortune That Game Out
of a "Bill Of Sale"
Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was a
young artist of some performance and
of considerable promise. But, like
many other men in that position, he
was often heavily handicapped by the
want of ready money, for though his
pictures were tolerably well spoken of
by the critics and lauded to the skies
by his friends, the picture-dealers gave
him only very moderate price for
them.
Still, spite of this drawback, Megilp,
being of a cheerful, happy-go-lucky dis
position, kept up his courage, worked
early and late in his studio, and be-
ieved firmly that some day a favorable
turn in his affairs would come. He
had married early young lady pos
sessed of more beauty than fortune; in
fact, Mr.. Megilp's marriage portion of
f6OO only just paid for the furnishing
of the house and studio at Kensington,
where the young couple began house
keeping.
But with the best intentions, the
young wife was not avery skillful man
ager. so gradually the Megilps glided
into debt, and in due course the trades
people became FESTIVE and refused fur
Their supplies until their little bills were
paid. When Michael Angelo and his
wife came to add up their liabilities,
they found that they amounted to near
ly GOO, sum total which seemed ter
rifle to poor little Mrs. Megilp.
Where on earth can we get f2O0,
Angyp" she cried, clasping her hands
tragically. "All your pictures, even if
you could sell them, wouldn't fetch
half that.
There's the furniture, you know,
Madge, hazarded Megilp. ut was
bought with your money. What do
you say to-
"Oh, don't-dont sell it; I couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things,
she interrupted, with loving glance
round her drawing-room, which was
quite picture of modest elegance.
81 shouldn't think of asking you tc
make such a sacrifice, my dear" re-
piled Michael Angelo, soothingly; "but
we could raise f20O on it easily"
you're quite-quite sure the fur
niture would be safep"
Perfectly safe; and I think know
the man who will do the business
bill of sale, you know-not half bad
way of raising money"
According Megilp went next morning
down to Wardour street, and in dirty
little bric-a-brac shop he unearthed the
worthy Israelite who was to oblige hin
with the loan.
"You want E200 on bill of sale or
your furniture?" said Mr.. Zerubbabel
when the artist had explained his err
rand. IL must come down to you,
house and see what you have got be
fore can give you an answer !"
"Surely you can take my word tina
there is ample security for the amour
Iwant. Besides presents, we ourselves
spent over f600 only two years ago.
replied Michael Angelo, angrily.
MIR. Zerubbabel laid his fat foretinge
along his great hooked nose an'
winkcd, adding:
IL dare say. Still, I'd rather hav,
a look at it before we do business. j
you give me your address I'll call oil
YOU tomorrow"
Michael Angelo swallowed his vexa
ton as best he could, gave his address
and left the bric-a-brac shop.
Mr.. Zerubbabel duly paid his visit o
inspection, and in the course of a few
DAYS the negotiation was a fat &c
compli. The Megilps paid their bills
the tradespeople smiled once more oil
Mrs. Megilp, and matters went oil
quite smoothly for several months
The interest on the f200 was punctual
" paid. and early in the year Michae
Angelo finished the picture he in
tended to send in to Burlington
House.
Every one who entered the studi
prophesied great things of this pic
ture, and every one agreed tina
"Chloe Counting her Chickens" was
SO far, Megilp's Chef dGapre. Tn
artist himself founded all his hopes Q
fame on this charming work.
81 won't take a penny less than ESQ
for it," he said to his wife after tn
visit of a distinguished art critic to hi
studio. "Carper says it will take tn
town by storm-and so it will. D."
IL wish you could sell it soon.
sighed Mrs Megilp. 81 often feel IN
comfortable about that dreadful bil
of sale-it's like what's-his-name'
sword hanging over our heads"
oh. the furniture is safe enough.
replied Michael Angelo, lightly. "Bu
/ tell YOU what it is, Madge, it hand
caps me frightfully to have a bill {
sale registered against me-"
why don't you 60 and see Lerut
babel, and try TO come to terms wit